Monitor: Blanar: Attacks on Pipelines Hurt Both Slovak and Ukrainian Interests

(JOJ 24,'Politika 24', 24 August) Attacks by the Ukrainian army on the Druzhba oil pipeline, which carries oil from Russia to Slovakia, are not only contrary to Slovakia’s national interests but also harmful to Ukraine itself, Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) said on JOJ 24's discussion programme 'Politika 24' (Politics 24) on Sunday. Blanar revealed that he discussed the issue by phone on Sunday with his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiha. He stressed that the Slovak refinery Slovnaft, which processes Russian oil, is currently a significant diesel supplier to Ukraine, covering around 10% of its monthly consumption. According to Blanar, Sybiha acknowledged the information and pledged to convey it to the rest of the Ukrainian government. „We understand this is difficult for Ukraine, but this infrastructure is extremely important for us — especially as Ukraine is hurting its own interests by risking fuel shortages on its side. Our national interest is to protect these supplies, which is why we are speaking openly with the Ukrainian side. I will continue these talks at the European level, including a video call tomorrow with the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister,” Blanar announced. He recalled that the European Union, in a statement following the European Council in January, defined the integrity of energy supply infrastructure as indivisible and urged all third parties, including Ukraine and Russia, to respect it. Should these obligations not be respected, the European Commission pledged to take action. Blanar added that this was the reason why, on Friday (22 August), the foreign ministers of Slovakia and Hungary sent a joint open letter to EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas and Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen, urging immediate steps to ensure the security of energy supplies to EU member states. „I do not want to escalate the situation today with any statements. I am calling above all for a pragmatic approach. I know this is painful for Ukraine, especially as one of its key refineries, which supplies products across the country, was recently bombed. Still, we must protect our interests,” Blanar said. He stressed that the most important step is to end the war in Ukraine as soon as possible — something he believes could be “significantly” aided by the initiative of former US President Donald Trump. „There are signs that this could lead to peace talks, which are the only way to stop mutual attacks on energy infrastructure: Ukrainian strikes on Russian facilities and vice versa. We are seeing an increase in such attacks, even as peace negotiations are ongoing, and this affects critical infrastructure vital to both Slovakia and Hungary,” Blanar added, noting that the Ukrainian foreign minister assured him that Ukraine also wants the war to end as soon as possible. mf